Turning on the five o’clock news briefly … π»
And then I turned it off. All I can think, is I am so glad that I stopped following all of those political Facebook pages and activists. I think politics has gone too far in our country, replacing basic humanity and respect for one and another. While politics may be somewhat important, for most of us, it really isn’t — and it’s not something to get angry about or have hatred directed to our fellow man and women. I think it’s the fault of a national media and social media, ginning up the body public for a buck. Plus that asinine incumbent of the White House, who will be replaced in two weeks.
There is really so much more to life then politics. Get outside, enjoy the wilds. Learn more about the scientific underpinnings of our world, how biology, ecology, and physics work. How much do you know about cattle or whitetail deer? We need more people who are thoughtful about their consumption and their impacts on their world around them. We need people who aren’t blind to their impacts, who are humble and try to understand how things really work in the systems that support us all. How can you be angry about something in politics, if you don’t understand the scientific underpinnings of the things that impact us directly?
Protests are important and the public’s voice should be heard. I don’t really care that much about broken windows, trashed or burned buildings. In the grand scheme of things compared to all the consumption going around us, a little damage to get out an important civic message isn’t a terrible thing. Sometimes trashed buildings awaken ears. And it’s important that oppressed voices are heard. Riots, going back to founding of our nation are deep in our blood, and they’re a feature of a messy democracy. But you have to wish calmer voices would prevail and more would be discussed in a calm and rational way, rather then violence that feeds the reactionaries on left and right.
The protests are idiotic — Donald Trump is a rather sore loser, and his loss shouldn’t be something people are belaboring. Winners cut their losses, and move on to the next chapter in their lives. I am sure there are other causes and concerns in the future. Government isn’t about one man or women, the president is supposed to be replaceable, a temporary occupant of the White House for 4-8 years. If you don’t like the outcome of the election, then there is another local primary election in all of 5 1/2 months from now. Change doesn’t occur in one direction, and who we elected now won’t necessarily be who is elected in five years. In these troubled times, with the pandemic ranging around us and climate change out control, I’m glad we elected Joe Biden, as I think he’s a much more mature, experienced and thoughtful leader. Sometimes, we need a technocrat and not a politician. Does he deserve re-election in 2024? We will cross that bridge then, and it will ultimately be the voters, not I who decides.
Honestly though, I don’t really care. What is happening hundreds of miles away has very little impact on my life in a day-to-day basis. I think there is too much of an emphasis on the federal government and not enough on what is happening in local communities. I also often think politics is a distraction from taking care of one’s own life and family, an excuse of personal failings. Not doing well in your own life? People want to blame the government and not their own choices.
And I think the protestors shouldn’t really care so much either. If you have failings in your own life, look inwards, don’t blame the government. Unhappy with your community? You could consider moving. Unhappy with your finances? Revise your budget, cut expenses, look for a better paying job. I do follow North Country Off-Grid from Northern Idaho and my III%-er homesteading friend who fled to North Carolina with his AR-15 fairly closely, but honestly I think they should stop dallying in politics, and instead more time invested in their families, crops and livestock, and less on politics. The government isn’t in your bedroom or on your land, or checking what guns you have in your home, and if you are unhappy with your local community’s polices, then shut up and move. There are thousands of other communities and 49 other states.
… You don’t have to be an agent of change to live a good life.
